Tagged: health care

The Affordable Care Act has yet to materialize in concrete changes that most Americans can actually notice, but that is about to change very soon. Here in Michigan, one of the first major signs of the new world order in American healthcare is the new East Lansing-based  Consumers Mutual.  

CEO of the new East Lansing-based business, Dennis Litos, explains his role in the upcoming changes, how the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan works, and what this means for Michigan residents, both insured and uninsured.

Action appears to have stalled on a state Senate bill that would let health care insurers and providers choose not to offer services based on their moral objections.

Today on Current State:  A breakdown of the impending changes to Michigan's health care system; phobias and fears with the co-author of "Encyclopedia Paranoiaca;"  a profile of new state representative Theresa Abed; sports with the Detroit Free Press' Joe Rexrode; and business news with MLive's Angela Wittrock.

From possible Medicaid expansion to insurance exchanges to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s new status, the state’s health care system is about to change.

We’ll discuss just how drastically with Lonnie Scott, state communications director for the consumer advocacy group, Know Your Care, and Rick Murdock, director of the Michigan Association of Health Plans.

Today on Current State: Michigan moves closer to expanding Medicaid, assessing MSU and U of M football recruiting classes, a Public Poetry Announcement featuring Robert Hayden, the murals on West Saginaw in Lansing, and a preview of the MSU Symphony's upcoming performance. 

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder made it official yesterday:  He supports expanding the state’s Medicaid program.  

On today's Current State: East Lansing city manager George Lahanas and Tim Dempsey, director of Planning, Building and Development, local efforts at Medicare cost reduction, electric cars, MSU women's basketball and dancing to Pink Floyd.

Michigan continues to face a serious health challenge. A closely watched annual report shows the percentage of people categorized as "obese" in the state continues to rise.

The annual "F As in Fat" report is a project of the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is an underwriter of NPR. The report forecasts the percentage would rise to 59% in less than 20 years.  

Obesity is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other serious illnesses.

Michigan is now one of 12 states with very high obesity rates.